The human mind has been studied for numerous years and has still yet to be fully understood. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, playwright William Shakespeare explores the decline of morality when it is tested with one of man’s most debilitating enemies: avarice. The combination of Macbeth’s ambition and avarice prove to be fatal as they continue to build throughout the play as he evolves into a cold-blooded killer in order to get what he desires. Shakespeare employs blood imagery to reveal how, in true Aristotelian tragic hero fashion, Macbeth plummets from honorable subject of the king to deceptive traitor, ultimately transforming into a diabolical tyrant who must be overthrown to bring about the healing of a country.
Macbeth begins his downfall …show more content…
The sergeant relays the stories of Macbeth’s success to the king, “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— / Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution” (1.2.18—20). Here, the “blood” of Macbeth’s ‘bloody execution’ represents the glory he gains each time he makes evident his dedication to Scotland and King Duncan. Blood of glory is commonly associated with passion and rage, showcasing Macbeth’s intense devotion to his leader while also foreshadowing how his strong emotions will change his personality from sincere to malevolent. The dedicated subject to the king’s loyalty is shown throughout various other battles, “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, / Or memorize another Golgotha” (1.2.44—45). As the sergeant recounts the events of this battle, he refers to Macbeth and Banquo as “they”. The possible assumption of the thanes “bathing in reeking wounds” presents their ruthlessness in combat and hunger for success against …show more content…
This point of his character evolution is typical of many other tragic heroes: the lead has made a disastrous mistake that draws the reader’s sympathy before becoming completely sinister. Throughout the play, the significance of what the blood represents appears to increase each time it is mentioned in a different stage of mental evolution and deterioration, creating the effect of conflicting emotions and further enhancing the tragic downfall from trusted thane to diabolical
Macbeth begins his downfall …show more content…
The sergeant relays the stories of Macbeth’s success to the king, “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— / Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution” (1.2.18—20). Here, the “blood” of Macbeth’s ‘bloody execution’ represents the glory he gains each time he makes evident his dedication to Scotland and King Duncan. Blood of glory is commonly associated with passion and rage, showcasing Macbeth’s intense devotion to his leader while also foreshadowing how his strong emotions will change his personality from sincere to malevolent. The dedicated subject to the king’s loyalty is shown throughout various other battles, “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, / Or memorize another Golgotha” (1.2.44—45). As the sergeant recounts the events of this battle, he refers to Macbeth and Banquo as “they”. The possible assumption of the thanes “bathing in reeking wounds” presents their ruthlessness in combat and hunger for success against …show more content…
This point of his character evolution is typical of many other tragic heroes: the lead has made a disastrous mistake that draws the reader’s sympathy before becoming completely sinister. Throughout the play, the significance of what the blood represents appears to increase each time it is mentioned in a different stage of mental evolution and deterioration, creating the effect of conflicting emotions and further enhancing the tragic downfall from trusted thane to diabolical